Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Fingers crossed?

The dainty hand on the gravestone for Amanda M. Evans (d. 1860) holds a rose, normally understood to be a symbol for beauty. The hand holds the rose between thumb and middle finger, freeing the index finger to point toward heaven.

At first glance, it almost looks as though the fingers are crossed, doesn’t it?

Amanda Evans died before the census was taken in 1860, and her death is listed in the mortality schedule for Perry Township, Franklin County, Ohio. She died of consumption after having been ill for 2 months.